Fab 4: Which is Most Moronic Move?

Hearns didn't try to take Hagler early intentionally. After the fight Hearns
said Hagler kept on running in and i had to try and teach him respect.

 

Don't think Roberto was going to win that night in New Orleans.

 

Maybe not. But the point is he wasn't getting dominated
and still could've conceivably pulled out the win if he carried on.
But quitting was the worse outcome he could do.
And that's what he did, the worse outcome imaginable.

 

In order:

1) Duran quitting: Inexcusable; his emotions got the best of him in a moment of weakness and he instantly regretted it (hence all the conflicting and implausible excuses).

2) Hagler v Leonard: Simply inexplicable. No way a reigning ATG middleweight champion should’ve lost to a functionally retired welterweight.

3) Leonard v Duran: Came out with a poor and misguided but understandable fight plan, to stand his ground to earn Duran’s respect. Gave away his main advantages by doing so but at least there was some rationale there. He was the more powerful puncher and people seemed to think that he was also stronger than Duran (not sure why though).

4) Hearns v. Hagler: He and Manny were probably caught off guard by Hagler’s all-out assault. Should’ve worked harder to keep his distance but he wasn’t used to fighting off his back foot, was in against a very aggressive opponent, and figured that he has the power to hurt him.

 

Great post Kev....

 

How about Sonny Liston quitting against a young Cassius Clay in 1964, maybe he did have a legitimate injury, but did he have one in 1965, the invisible punch. Both fights ruined his reputation. Although I thought Sonny was a really good fighter, it tarnished him with boxing historians.